The United States have no enmities, animosities, or rivalries, and no
interests which conflict with the welfare, safety, and rights or
interests of any other nation. Their own prosperity, happiness, and
aggrandizement are sought most safely and advantageously through the
preservation not only of peace on their own part, but peace among all
other nations. But while the United States are thus a friend to all other
nations, they do not seek to conceal the fact that they cherish especial
sentiments of friendship for, and sympathies with, those who, like
themselves, have founded their institutions on the principle of the equal
rights of men; and such nations being more prominently neighbors of the
United States, the latter are co-operating with them in establishing
civilization and culture on the American continent. Such being the
general principles which govern the United States in their foreign
relations, you may be assured, sir, that in all things this government
will deal justly, frankly, and, if it be possible, even liberally with
Peru, whose liberal sentiments toward us you have so kindly expressed.